Controller



H. D. IAMES.

CONTROLLER.

APPLvcATloN FILED/SEPT, 2|. 191e.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

|NvENToR Henry D. Jame.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY UNETE PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY D. JAMES, OF OOD PAR-K, PETNSYLVANA, ASSGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRC AND ZANUFAGTUENG' COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

CONTROLLER.

T0 all whom t may concer-n Be it known that l, HENRY D. Jarras, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Edgewood Parli, in the county ot Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful limprovement in Controllers, of kwhich the following,r is a specification.

My invention relates to controllers. for governing the circuits or'electric motors, and it has, for one oi' its objects, to provide a controller that is simple and economical in construction and is automatic in operation to effect the startingof an electric motor.

A second object or" my invention is to provide a device of the character' indicated above which operates in a si ele direction to control theoperation of an electric motor in connection with which it employed.

A controller' constructed in accordance with my invention embodies i'ew and simple parts, a number oi' which may be constructed by punching' or some other simple method, and which may be readily Iassembled. The members for siinportin.e` certain L, 4 y of the movable Contact segments are clamped to the controller shaftt and have portions of suitable shape to receive the segments. Each ot the movable Contact seg; ments is provided with a curved engagingT surface having` a radius ot minini lenejtn consistent with the function it performs.

The controller is actuated by pilot motor to which it is operatively connected by a releasable clutch in'order that the controller may be operated manually, if so desired. The circuits of the pilot motor are so arranged and controlled that it actuates the 'controller drum continuousl.7 throueh a com ilete cycle upon each closure oi the cir cuit. orn the pilot motor. The controller Ythus operates in a single directy 'from its initial position to the same position., which is the runnno position vfor the main motor.

r he z 'ante-.ges oi' a controller arranged to operate in the manne above describen are that. additional ield windings Jfor reversing' the pilot motor the provision controlling mechanism for effecting' the reversal of the armature connections are entirely unnecessary. The entire roperation or" starting and accelerating the motor is controlled automatically by the pilot motor upon the initiation ot its operation..

The details ot my invention will be de- Speeication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14;, 1922.

Serial No. 121,382.

scribed in connection with t-he accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view, par tially in elevation and partially in section, oi controller constructed in accordance 'with my invention. Fig. 2 is a view, in elevation.y or the controller shaft. Fig. 3 is a view. in section, of the controlling mechanism oir Fig. 1, illustrating one of the movable Contact members and its coacting contactiinrfer. Fig'. i is a view. in section, of ie controlling` m chanism of F 1, illusrating. in detai tlie manner of supporting ertain oit the movable Contact segments and structure oi certa-inet the contact lin- Fig. 5 is a sectional view et a mod tion oiE one of the elements shown in Fie'. *l 6 is diagrammatic view of the circuits of an electric motor that are controlled by a controller constructed in accordance with my invention. F ig. 7 is a view in section on line Vil-VII of Fig. 1, of the mechanism of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the means for supporting the pilot motor.

' Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 7, a

rotatable shaft 1 is supported by bearing` members 2 and 3 that are secured to a base member i of slate or other suitable isulating material, only a part of the latter being shown. The sha-tt 1 is adapted to be actuated by a pilot motero. The pilot motor is suspended from the base member 4 by an arm 6 that is integral with the bearing memer 2 and is pr vided with a yoke at its outer end (Fig. 8).

The motor 5 is operatively connected to the controller shaft 1 by means of a iexible coupling 7, of the nature of a universal joint, a worm 8, a worm wheel 9, a clutch mechanism 10, a. shaft 12 that is in alinement with the shalt 1, and a sleeve 13 of insulatma rial that is rigidly connected to the shafts i2 and 1.

The Aotatable contact members of t-he controller comprise contact segments 15 and 16 that are mounted upon the insulating coupling member 13 to coact with stationary Contact lingers 1T, 18 and 19. The arrangement of the contact segment 16, the sleeve 13, and the shaft 1 is shown in Fig. 3.

The shaft 1 may be provided with a knurled portion 20, as illustrated in Fig. 2, upon which are mounted contact segments 22, 225, 24, 25 and 26 that respectively coact with contact fingers 27, 28, 29, 30, and 3l, As

n best shown in Fig. 4, each of the contact segments 22 to 26, inclusive, is mounted upon al support 32 which is shown as comprising two metal strips`A of Vsuch form asrto iit around Vthe lmurled portion 20 ot the sha-tt Vand be clamped thereto by means ofVV bolts and nuts. rlhe member 32 is provided.

with curved projecting portions 33 that eX- tend. 1n opposite directions to receive the `correspondang; contact segment, which may be secured thereto, as shown.4 VInstead ol employing two `strips ot metal to provide the clamp-support 32, as shown in Fig. 4, a singie strip may be bent Viis-shown in Fig. V5

and the -two arms may be fastened together at one side only ci' the'shaft 1 by means oli-a tudinally Vand circumferentially, upon the Vknurled portion-20 of the sha-tt l. to properly minals als; may be employed.

The details of the construction ot the cooperate withV snchstationary contact ter- `contact linger 27, which are identical withV those Vof the contactV fingers 28` 29, 30 and;

` 31, are illustrated in Fig.4. #The support- .of fthe shaft.

ing member 34,V whichis formed by punchingr-a strap. orbar ct metal, 1s provided with a bent portion 35V for projecting intoV 'suitablerecess in the base member 4, toY

prevent rotative movement'aboutthe fastening screw. The contact finger 27 is'secured to-thesupporting member 34 bya spring` 36 and a bolt 37.. The bolt 37 extends through a suitable 'opening' in a stop'member 38 which serves to guide and to limit the movement of the Contact Vfinger 27 relatively to thc supportingmember- 34. The stop meniber 3811's vprovided withV an upwardly extending'portion) foi-locking the bolt 37 i-n any-position to` which it may be. adjusted. Y i l f The cont-roller is further provided with a contactinember 40, of'copperor othersuitable material, that is ot'ring shape and is :rigidlysecured to theV shaft 1;V A, pair ot `Contact'members 41, which may be electri-I cally connected inV parallel relation, coact with the member 40. .The provision of a Contact member of ring' shape and havingr a' small diameter is oit'advantagebecause .the friction 0i' the relatively movable parts smaller 1 is materially decreased Vand a amount ct'energy is required to drive the shaft by reason ot the fact that` the trictional engagementv ot the parts occurs Aat a relatively small dista-nce from the axis In addition, a contact ring otV small Vdiameter contains a Vcorrespondingly small amount of material.V

.'Theshaft 1 and its Vconnected parts are normally actuated byV the pilotV motorl through the operative 4connection described above. VThe shaft 1 may be operated manually, when so desired, by actuating a Vhainl wheel 42 vthat is Vsplined'upon the shaft 12 .and has a clutch engagement with the hub of the gear wheel 9. i Vhen the hand wheel 42 Ais actuated to the left, as yviewed in Fig.

V1, the shaft 12 Vis Vdisconnected from the wheel 9 and the controller'pmay be actuother suitable load, has an armature 45 and ashunt iield-magnetw-inding 46. A

pair of starting resistors 47, .which are' connected in parallel ArelatiOrnare controlled inclusive.V Y Y 1 Y rlhe armature circuitof the motor is controlled. by an Velectromagnetically-operable line switch 48 having an-actuating coil 49. Ar Vswitch 50, which is mechanicallyinterlocked with the switch 48, control's'a.V holding circuit for the coil 49.' The operation'of the system is controlledby two Ypush .buttons 51V and V52V which operateY to prodnceV the respective effects upon the main motor that are-.indicated by legends placed adjacent to the'switches.

ltmay be assumed Vthat .the controller occupies its illustrated-or initial position. Y To start the main motor, the push-lnitton switch 51 is actuated Vto close a: circuit which eX-V tends trom line conductor ,53 through switch 5l, switch 50, push-button'switch 5l, sister 55, armature of pilot ating;- coil 5G of overload switch 54'to line conductor 58. motor 5 now Voperates to rotate the shaft-1l.

ot the controller ina clockwise direction.

as viewed trom the'right in Fig. 6, or in a. counter-cloclr-wise direction, as viewed from the right in Fig. l. A

lnthe first position-of the controller, whichfis indicated at a, the contact segment 15 engages contact lingers y17 and `18'to Vcomplete a circuit for the coil 49ot line switch 48which4 extends from VtheV positive side ot'switch 54, through switch 50, pushbutton switch 51, contact finger 17` 'con-V tact seg-ment 15, contact finger 18,. coil 49, push-button switch 52, overload relay 5T and coil 56 to the negative side of switch 54.

The line switch, 48 then closes to complete bythe coacting contact members 22 to 31,'

Y a remotor 5, actu-k relay 57 and'V The 'pilot' the armature circuit for the main motor which extends from the positive-sidev of the line, through resistors 47, in parallel, contact fingers 30 and 31, which are permanently electrically'connected, armature 45, switch 48 and coil 56 to the negative side of the line. The main motor then operates with the entire resistors 47 in circuit.

Simultaneously with the closing `of the line switch 48, the circuit of the pilot motor is momentarily interrupted at 50, but a new circuit is immediately established by the upper contact member of the switch 5() through the segment 15 and the fingers 17 and 18, thus shunting the push-button switch 51. The push-button switch may then be released.

In the second position of the controller, which is designated by b, the contact segment 16 engages contact finger 19 to complete the circuit of the pilot motor 5 through theseveral contact segments 16, 22 to 26, and 40,v to the positive side of the line. The control 0f the pilot-motor circuit is thus shifted to the controller. Y

In position c of the controller, contact segment 22 engages contact finger 27 to shunt one section of each' of the resistors 47. In

each ofthe succeeding positions d, e and f, an additional section of each of the resistors is shunted, the entire resistors beingshunted in the normal running position of the controller which coincides with its inoperative position, in whichiit is illustrated. When the controller passesfrom position e, contact Ysegnnent 16 and contact finger 19 are disengaged to open the circuit of the pilot motor, and the controller is brought to rest in its illustrated position. To/stop the main motor, push-button switch 52 is operated to open the line conductor.

vIt will be noted that the controller is actuated through a complete cycle by a continuous rotation of the pilot motor 5 in a 'single'Y direction. vThe controller drum is actuated in the same direction-for each succeeding opera-tion. l Means are provided, however, for opening the circuit of the main position of the controller. y

Then the line switch is closed, the switch 50, that is mechanicallyy connected thereto, completes a holding circuit for the coil 49 which extends from the positive sidey of the line, through switch 50, coil 49. switch52, overload relay 57 and coil 56,-to the negative mot-or at any desired time, regardless of the 4side of the linel The line switch may be opened at any desired time bythe actuation of the push-button switch 52to open the circuit of the coil 49, traced above. The armature circuit of the main motor is then broken and the motor vcomes to rest. The stopping of the main motor does not, in any way, affect the operation of the pilot motor, and tbe'latter rcontinues to actuate the controller to its initial or inoperative position. The switch serves not only to complete the circuit through the pilot motor when operation is initiated by the push-button 51, but also to prevent operation of the pilot motor and the controller when the switch 48 is closed and the main motor is operating under normal conditions.

It will be notedthat a controller constructed as above described may be manufactured and assembled with a minimum amount of time and labor. Since parts may be formed from materials of usual and ordinary shape, an economical construction is assured.

The use of a controller that is adapted to operate to effect the starting and acceleration of the motor in connection with 'which it is employed and is returned toits initial position by a continuous movement in a single direction, permits the employment of a pilot motor of the-usual and ordinary type. It is neither necessary to providev additional windings for operation of the pilot motor in reverse directions nor to include reversing mechanism' in the means for controlling the pilot motor.

It is possible also, Vby means of a controllerV arranged as previously described, to providea system which comprises a single line switch and a single fuse inthe armature circuit of the motor. One sidey of the line is always connected to the Contact segments of the controller when the double-pole knife switch 54 is closed. n y' p An additional advantage secured by my arrangement is the elimination of substantially all oflthe insulation that is usually required in devices of this character, the insulating coupling for the driving shafts being the only insulating 'member required. It will lbe noted that the several contact lfingers are mounted directly upon the base member of slate or other insulating material and that the latter constitutes the only insulation that is 'necessary between the several members. It is unnecessary, also, to insulate the rotatable shaft from the bearing niembers since the latter are directly mounted upon the insulating base.

The suspension ofthe pilot motor beneath the lower edge of the base permits the location of the motor at the rear of the switchboard, where it will not occupy valuable space, and this result is achieved without the necessity of providing a hole through the base member in order that the several parts maybe-operatively connected. The provisionofa flexible coupling and a yoke member upon which the motor may be adjustably mounted insures thatthe motor and the connected parts may be readily assembled and thaty the motor will operate efficiently to ldrive the worm shaft even though the armature shaft is not in alinementtherewith.v

' motor and having an actuating fcoil, anda controller for said motor and for closing the I claim as' my invention:

tor, a switch for closing the circuit of said circuit of said coil,o:t means for continuo usly operating said controller through a complete cycle, and means for opening the circuit of said coil without affecting Vthe completion of saidV cycle. 2. In a controller, the combination with a rotatable shaft and a pluralityk of coacting contact members 'controlled thereby, of an electricmotor operatively connected-to Vsaid shaft, means independent of Vsaid contact members for starting said motor, and me ans,comprising certain of said contact members, for causing saidmotor to actuate said shaft in a single direction through successive complete cycles of operation.

3.7In a1system of control, the combina-v tion with a motor, a controllertliat isoper-` able lin Va single kdirection forcontrolling said motor, and a pilot motor for operating the controller, of a Vmanually operated switch for completing the circuit of the pilot motor to initiate the movement of the controller, and meansv for preventing the closing of the circuit of the pilot motor when the mainmotor isenergized.

4.' The combination with an electric motor and a'controller therefor, of a vswitch .for closing the circuit of said motor, electroresponsive means foi-actiiating=-said controller, and means for directly closing the cir- .cuitpof said electroresponsive means irrespective of the position ofsaid controller and orclosing said switch when said controller ,occupies a predetermined position,

.. 5. The combination with an electric motor anda controller therefor, of a switch for closing the circuit of said motor, an actuating coil for saidswitch, an overload relay for controlling the circuit of said coil, and a pilot Vmotcr for actuating said controller through a complete cycle independently of the operation'of said overloadrelay.

6, The combination with anelectric mo-V tor and a controller therefor, of a switch for closing the circuit of said motor and-having an actuating` coil, a pilot motor or .actuat ing -said controller, the circuit of saidpilot motor and the circuit of said Vcoil comprising said J switch when said switch occupies its openjposition, and a switch for closing the circuit of said pilot motorV to Vactuategsaid .controller to a predetermined position and vfor closing thecircuit of said coil when said predetermined po` controller reaches said sitiOn.Y Y Y .7. kThe combination with an electric motor and Velectrorespo-nsive means for accelerating said motor, of a switching device for closing theV circuit of said motor and having an actuating coil, saidgdevice being adapted to control the circuitsoi' said' coiland said-''- electroresponsive means.

8. rEhe combination with an electric motor, and a controller therefor having a Vdefinite cycle of operation, of a plural-position switching device for maintaining the circuit ofsaid motor closed and for controlling the operation of saidcontroller through-a portion of said cycle when said device occupies one of its positions and for controlling the operation of said controller through another portion of said cycle when said dcviceocf.V

cup'ies anotherof its positions. Y. y

. 9. 4The combination with a motor, a switch for closing thecircuit of said .motor and a controller for governing theroperatio'n"V of said motor, of means associated'with saidV switch `for initiating the Aoperation'ofsaid controller, and means. for operating said controllenV independently ofV said associated means.l -Q i.

Vl0.; The combination with a machine, and

an electric motor for 'controlling said machi-ne, of a two-position switch for partly Y closing the 'circuit of said motor inone of its .9.0 positions and for controlling said machine` in its other position, a switch for closing said,... circuit whenysaid two-position switch. cocupies said one position, and means for actu; ating'said two-position switch to itscther position.

tor and a controller therefor, of a switchffor closing the circuit ofsaid VmotorV and having an actuating coil, a double-throwswitchI memaintainingcircuits for saidpilot motor and.l

said coil closed. Y

` 12. The combination with an electric moytoiand a switchl for closing the circuitf of said motor,` of a controller for said motor,

when saidiirst-named switch a pilot motor for actuating saidV controller, a

11., The combinatitonwith an electric mo`` Y l chanically connected to said rst-named y switch,a pilot motorfor actuatingV said coniio doublefthrow switch mechanically conn'ect-V ed to said closing switch,a manuallyv operable switclrfon closing the. circuit of said pilot motor when vsaid double-throw. Switch occupies one 'of its positions,vand means forV Y shunting said4 manually' operable VVswitch lwhen said double-throw switch occupies its other position. i

In testimony vwhereof I have hereunto sub- Y scribed my name this th day oJSept., 1916.

' HENRY 3o, JAMES, v 

